The group was led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) were later members of the group. They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. They are best known for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm", which received a Grammy nomination.
Their 1975 song "Rock Creek Park" from the City Life album has been sampled numerous times by groups such as De La Soul, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, NWA, Massive Attack, Ice Cube, Heavy D, Nas and Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. The song has also appeared on the soundtrack to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Allan Barnes passed away July 26th, 2016 from an unspecified illness.
April Showers
The Blackbyrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our kisses linger for a time
I could not sleep because i couldn't keep
Sweet memories from blowing my mind
I just lie awake and think of pleasant night we've spent
Under summers magic spare
But when autumn came, the love did not remain
And made my world a living hell
Just beyond the rainbow I found paradise
(La la la la laa laa, laa laa laa laa laaaa)
(La la la la laa laa, laa laa laa laa laaaa laa)
But that now the winter's passing new love came my way
And brought the sun back to my life
No words can express the joy and happiness
I felt when you said you'd be my wife
And april showers brought spring flowers to my life
Just beyond the rainbow I found paradise
April showers
Let it shower by the hour
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, oooh let it rain
I found paradise, it's alright
Just beyond the rainbow, just beyond the rainbow
I found, I found paradise
La la la, la la la, la la la, la laa
Ooh april showers, april showers
Oooh oooh
The Blackbyrds' April Showers is a deeply heartfelt ballad about love and loss, and ultimately, redemption. The song is essentially a story of a person who has lost love and has despaired, experiencing the anguish of memories of the past that refuse to leave their mind. The lyrics of the opening lines paint a picture of someone who has come to accept that the love they lost can never be replaced. The image of kisses that linger for a time represents the longing that the singer feels for what has been lost. The inability to sleep for fear of memories "blowing my mind" indicates the internal turmoil of the singer.
The song then progresses to describe the singer's hopelessness, signified by the statement, "And made my world a living hell." However, the chorus introduces the theme of hope, where "April showers brought spring flowers to my life" signifying the healing power of time. The chorus also mentions "just beyond the rainbow, I found paradise," representing the idea that hope is always present even in the midst of despair.
The second verse of the song tells the story of the singer's redemption; that new love has come their way after the winter of despair. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer's joy, with "no words to express the joy and happiness" felt when their new love said they would be their partner. The chorus then returns, repeating the idea that "April showers brought spring flowers to my life," signifying that the singer has been healed and given a second chance at love.
Line by Line Meaning
I have thought the love I lost could never be replaced
I believed that I could never find a love as fulfilling as the one I had lost.
Our kisses linger for a time
The memory of our intimate moments together stays with me for a while.
I could not sleep because i couldn't keep
I couldn't sleep because the memories of our love were too intense to let me relax.
Sweet memories from blowing my mind
Thoughts of our happy moments together are constantly overwhelming me.
I just lie awake and think of pleasant night we've spent
At night, I can't help but reminisce on our enjoyable nights together.
Under summers magic spare
During the summertime, our love was almost magical in its intensity.
But when autumn came, the love did not remain
However, our love didn't last when the season changed to autumn.
And made my world a living hell
The end of our love made my world seem unbearable and unbearable.
But april showers brought spring flowers to my life
The arrival of new love brought hope and brightness to my life.
Just beyond the rainbow I found paradise
This new love felt like my long-awaited paradise.
(La la la la laa laa, laa laa laa laa laaaa)
(La la la la laa laa, laa laa laa laa laaaa laa)
But that now the winter's passing new love came my way
As winter passes, a new love has entered my life.
And brought the sun back to my life
This new love has brought happiness and joy back into my life.
No words can express the joy and happiness
I cannot explain how happy and fulfilled I feel.
I felt when you said you'd be my wife
When you agreed to be my partner for life, my heart swelled with pure joy.
And april showers brought spring flowers to my life
This new love brought a new season of hope and renewal.
Just beyond the rainbow I found paradise
This new love felt like a paradise that I thought I would never find.
April showers
New beginnings and opportunities for growth.
Let it shower by the hour
Let these new opportunities come and bless me constantly.
Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, oooh let it rain
I am open to receiving and embracing all the blessings that come with new beginnings.
I found paradise, it's alright
I am content and satisfied with my newfound paradise.
Just beyond the rainbow, just beyond the rainbow
This new beginning felt like a dream that I never thought would come true.
I found, I found paradise
I have finally found a new, fulfilling love.
La la la, la la la, la la la, la laa
Ooh april showers, april showers
This new beginning feels like the start of a promising season of growth and renewal.
Oooh oooh
Writer(s): Allan Barnes
Contributed by Riley W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.